State Secretary Pröll in Israel: A signal against anti -Semitism

State Secretary Pröll in Israel: A signal against anti -Semitism

Vienna, Österreich - State Secretary Alexander Pröll (ÖVP) visited Israel from May 21 to 24, 2025, to emphasize the central partnership between Austria and Israel in the areas of digitization, cybersecurity and anti -Semitism. This visit is an important signal of solidarity with Israel, especially against the background of the tense political situation in the Middle East. Pröll plans to visit the Kibbutz Be’eri, which was affected by a Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, and the Nova Festival Memorial.

Another focus of the visit is citizenship over the descendants of persecuted National Socialism. The State Secretary also plans a meeting with Gila Gamliel, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. So far, however, this meeting has not yet been officially confirmed. It is important to mention that no meetings with Palestinian representatives are intended on the agenda.

The context of anti -Semitism

The current situation in Israel is in line with the latest developments in the distribution of anti -Semitic statements. After the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, digital media experienced a worrying increase in anti -Semitic content. This content, which is often spread on social media, show considerable aggressiveness and are often packed in the form of memes, videos and other creative forms of communication. Studies show that young people and adults in particular are presented with mercilessly anti -Semitic narratives through platforms such as Facebook and YouTube.

The research project "Decoding AntiSemitism" examines the reactions to October 7 in different languages ​​and on different platforms. The results show that anti -Semitic comments have increased significantly after this date. In British YouTube threads, for example, the proportion of anti-Semitic comments reached up to 55%, while in Germany up to 25% of the statements had violent glorification.

The digital dimension of anti -Semitism

The digital world plays a central role in the spread of anti -Semitic ideologies. Anti -Semitism is often first expressed online and then carried into the analog world. The delays in the distribution of reviewed information promote a flood of unreflected content. In these digital rooms, educational efforts have little effect, which underlines the need to adapt political approaches to the new reality. The moderation of anti -Semitic content on social platforms often remains inadequate, which leads to increased pressure on political artists, to react quickly.

The importance of influencers in this context should also be emphasized. These can act as multipliers and thus further increase the spread of anti -Semitic content. Innovative approaches in political education and the use of digital technologies are essential to effectively counter the increasing anti -Semitism.

State Secretary Pröll's visit to Israel takes place in a particularly sensitive environment in which anti -Semitism not only has historical continuity, but is also becoming increasingly flexible and more adaptable in the digital rooms. The connections between the digital and analog world must be considered as well as the current security policy challenges.